Criminal Justice News

Friday, August 31, 2012

The United States Attorney for the
District of Connecticut announced that Jaquan Leggett, also known as “Tipsy,”
24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge
Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three
years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.

This matter stems from Operation
Northern Strike, a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting
members and associates of geographically-based street gangs engaging in
criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The
investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple
telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a
result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal
drug and firearms violations.

According to court documents and
statements made in court, Leggett was intercepted multiple times over a wiretap
discussing his and other individuals’ possession of firearms. On July 28, 2010,
Hartford Police received information that Leggett and a co-defendant were in
possession of firearms at 155-157 Adams Street, where they resided.
Investigators then stopped a motor vehicle being driven by Leggett in the
vicinity of 155-157 Adams Street. Leggett was instructed to exit the vehicle.
During a search of Leggett’s person, investigators found a .38 caliber bullet
in Leggett’s pants pocket. A subsequent search of 155-157 Adams Street resulted
in the seizure of nine firearms and assorted ammunition from the basement.

Prior to July 2010, Leggett had
sustained at least two felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for
a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or
ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On September 8, 2011, Leggett pleaded
guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

This matter is being investigated by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task
Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and
Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.